Combined base transceiver station and base station controller

ABSTRACT

A combined base station controller ( 12 ) and base transceiver station ( 14 ) comprises a selector distribution unit (SDU,  20 ), a main call control (MCC,  22 ) coupled to the SDU, a radio call control (RCC,  18 ) coupled to the MCC, and a channel element control (CEC,  16 ) coupled to the RCC.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application is related to and claims the benefit ofprovisional patent application No. 60/537,408, filed on Jan. 16, 2004,entitled CDMA Radio Access Network System and Method, and provisionalpatent application No. 60/537,419, filed on Jan. 16, 2004, entitled CDMAIP Base Transceiver Station, the contents of which are enclosed byreference herein. The present patent application is further related topatent application Ser. No. 11/037,813 entitled Combined BaseTransceiver Station and Base Station Controller Call Origination AndTermination, patent application Ser. No. 11/037,814 entitled CombinedBase Transceiver Station and Base Station Controller Handoff, patentapplication Ser. No. 11/037,386 entitled Combined Base TransceiverStation and Base Station Controller Data Call, patent application Ser.No. 11/037,387 entitled Combined Base Transceiver Station and BaseStation Controller Data Call And Quality Of Service, and patentapplication Ser. No. 11/037,388 entitled Combined Base TransceiverStation and Base Station Controller Optimized Assignment Of FrameOffsets, each of which is assigned to the assignee of the presentinvention and is filed on even date herewith.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a base transceiver station and abase station controller, and, more specifically to a combined basetransceiver station and a base station controller.

Current cellular operators predominantly provide services via very largeor macro coverage areas. Limitations encountered by these operatorsinclude the difficulty of providing reliable in-building or campuscoverage. Such coverage should provide subscribers with seamlessservices at a particular quality level, and should provide operatorswith additional revenue sources.

Therefore, what is needed is a wireless solution that overcomes theaforementioned limitations by providing a micro solution thatcompliments the wireless macro network by providing increased voice anddata capacity and coverage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a radio access network (RAN) system(which contains a base transceiver station and a base station controllerintegrated into a single compact platform) for wireless coverage andin-building services, as well as for providing additional capacity in amacro network when it comes to filling “hotspots.” Such a RAN system,which preferably operates in or in conjunction with a CDMA network,supports signaling, traffic, handoff, power, and control, whileproviding multiple interfaces to the core network.

In one embodiment, a combined base station controller and basetransceiver station comprises a selector distribution unit (SDU), a maincall control (MCC) coupled to the SDU, a radio call control (RCC)coupled to the MCC, and a channel element control (CEC) coupled to theRCC.

In another embodiment, a combined base transceiver station (BTS) andbase station controller (BSC) comprises a selector distribution unit(SDU), a main call control (MCC) coupled to the SDU, wherein the BSCincludes the SDU and the MCC, a radio call control (RCC) coupled to theMCC, and a channel element control (CEC) coupled to the RCC and to theSDU, wherein the BTS includes the RCC and the CEC.

In a further embodiment, a system comprises a first module including acontrol portion and a device portion, wherein the control portionincludes a radio call control (RCC) module coupled to a main callcontrol (MCC) module, wherein the device portion includes a selectordistribution unit (SDU) coupled to a channel element control (CEC)module, and a second module, coupled to the first module, including adevice portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a radio access network (RAN) in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a stackable RAN in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the present invention; and

FIG. 3 depicts a further stackable RAN in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, radio access network (RAN) 10 comprises a basestation controller (BSC) 12 and a base transceiver station (BTS) 14 thatcomprise a number of blocks or modules. These blocks or modules aresoftware, hardware, firmware, and/or a combination of software,hardware, and/or firmware. The BSC 12 comprises a selector distributionunit (SDU) 20 coupled to a main call control (MCC) 22 and to a packetcontrol function (PCF) 24 which is also coupled to the MCC 22, asignaling control connection part (SCCP) 26 coupled to aninteroperability system (IOS) 28 which is also coupled to the MCC 22, acall agent simulator (CA_SIM) 30 which is coupled to the SCCP 26, and anoperation, administration, and maintenance (OA&M) 32 module coupled tothe PCF 24.

Main Call Control (MCC) 22

The MCC 22, which performs the operations that pertain to individualsubscribers including registration, call setup, call release, handoffand other subscriber features, is associated with the followingfunctionality:

Registration

Mobile registration is a process where mobile characteristics such aslocation or status are provided to the network. Registration may beinitiated by a mobile station (MS, not shown), by a network, or impliedduring access by the MS. To support these features, the MCC 22interfaces with a radio call control module (RCC) 18, which will bedescribed further below, and with a call agent (CA) 104. The CA 104 ispreferably a soft switch whose functions include call processing,supplementary service, registration, interacts with a Home LocationRegister (HLR) in the macro network, and provides common PBX functions.

Mobile Originated Call Setup for Voice and Circuit Data Calls

The MCC 22 receives an Origination Message from the MS via the RCC 18and then communicates with CA 104 to request call service, confirm thevalidity of the MS, as well as get the resource information from a mediagateway (MG, not shown). The MG mediates the elements between circuitswitched voice networks and an IP network. For example, the MG relaysvoice, fax, modem and data traffic over the IP network. The MCC 22interfaces with the RCC 18 to request a radio resource and with the SDU20 to allocate a selector resource.

Mobile Terminated Call Setup for Voice and Calls and Circuit Data Calls

The MCC 22 receives a Paging Request message from the CA 104 and passesit to the RCC 18 to initiate a mobile terminated call setup scenario.The MCC 22 receives a Page Response Message then communicates with theCA 104 to get the resource information from the MG and indicate for thecall to be answered at the MS. The MCC 22 interfaces with the RCC 18 torequest a radio resource and with the SDU 20 to allocate a selectorresource.

Call Clearing of Voice and Circuit Data Calls

Call clearing may be initiated by either the MS, the SDU 20 or the CA104. The MCC 22 sends clear messages to the SDU 20 or to the CA 104 andreleases internal resources.

Mobile Originated Call Setup for Packet Data Calls

The MCC 22 receives an Origination Message from the MS via the RCC 18with a data rate to send set to ‘true’ (DRS=1) and a packet data serviceoption, and then communicates with the CA 104 to request packet dataservice and confirm the validity of the MS. The MCC 22 interfaces withthe PCF 24 to setup a connection to a packet data serving node (PDSN)101, which exchanges packets with the MS over the radio and the other IPnetworks, with the RCC 18 to requests a radio resource, and with the SDU20 to allocate a selector resource.

Reactivation of Packet Data Calls

The MCC 22 supports either the MS initiated or network initiatedreactivation from a dormant state. With a MS initiated reactivation, anormal packet data call setup procedure in the MCC ensues, while with anetwork initiated reactivation, the MCC 22 sends a base station (BS, notshown) Service Request to the CA 104 to begin an initiated call setup asa request from the PCF 24. The BS, which is a fixed station thatcommunicates with the MS, may be a cell, a sector within a cell, amobile switching center (MSC), or other part of the wireless system.

Call Clearing of Packet Data Calls

Call clearing may be initiated by either the MS, the SDU 20, the CA 104or the PCF 24. During a call clearing scenario, the MCC 22 sends clearmessages to the SDU 20, the CA 104 and the PCF 24 and releases internalresources.

Transition to Dormancy for Packet Data Calls

If the MS transits to a Dormant State, the MCC 22 proceeds in a normalpacket call release scenario and notifies the CA while setting therelease cause to “packet call going dormant.” The MCC 22 also supportsDormant Handoff.

Short Data Bursts

The MCC 22 supports a Short Data Burst which consists of a small numberof frames that are transmitted to a MS with a dormant packet dataservice instance.

Inter-BS Handoff

The MCC 22 supports soft handoff, inter-frequency assignment (FA) hardhandoff and intra-FA hard handoff. The MCC 22 interfaces with the RCC 18to get radio resources as request from the SDU 20 and manages neighborlists.

Inter-CA Hard Handoff

When the MCC 22 receives a handoff request message from the SDU 20 andthe handoff type is inter-CA hard handoff, the MCC 22 sends a HandoffRequired message to the CA 104 to initiate an inter-CA hard handoff as aserving part. If the MCC 22 receives a Handoff Request message from theCA 104, the MCC 22 initiates an inter-CA hard handoff scenario as atarget part.

Terminal Authentication

Terminal authentication is the process by which information is exchangedbetween the MS and the network to confirm the identity of the MS. TheMCC 22 delivers relegated messages to the SDU 20, the RCC 18 and the CA104.

Short Message Service

Short Message Service (SMS) is a mechanism of delivery of short messagesover the mobile network. The MCC 22 supports messages and process forSMS mobile originated calls, SMS mobile terminated calls, and SMSBroadcast calls.

Supplementary Services

The MCC 22 supports various supplementary services including MessageWaiting, Call Forwarding, Call Delivery, Call Transfer, Three WayCalling, and Conference Calling in terms of communicating with the RCC18 using a Feature Notification Message or with the SDU 20 using Flashwith an Information Message.

Test Calls

The MCC 22 initiates the test call process as a request from the basestation manager (BSM 99) or on receiving an Origination Message with alook back service option from the MS.

Call Trace

The MCC 22 initiates the call trace process as a request from the WPM.The MCC 22 stores the related information to a buffer and starts a tracewhenever the MS requests call service.

Selector Distribution Unit (SDU) 20

The SDU 20, which includes an air interface portion that processes airmessages between the SDU and a MS, a router interface portion thatprocesses messages between the SDU and other software blocks, and aportion that processes voice and data calls, is associated with thefollowing functionality:

Multiplex and De-Multiplex

This function multiplexes and de-multiplexes user traffic and signalingtraffic for the air interface.

Forward and Reverse Traffic Frame Selection and Distribution

This function is responsible for selecting the best quality incoming airinterface reverse link frame involved in the soft handoff, anddistributes forward air interface frames to all channel elementsinvolved in a call.

Handoff Type Decision and Handoff Direction

This function decides a handoff type that will be processed includingsoft handoff, softer handoff, hard handoff, etc., and directs handoffprocessing to other software blocks such as the MCC 22 and a trafficchannel element (TCE) in the CEC 16.

Process Radio Link Protocol (RLP) Procedures

A RLP Type 1, 2, and 3 is used with IS-95A/B or cdma2000 trafficchannels to support CDMA data services. The RLP, which is aconnection-oriented, negative-acknowledgement based data deliveryprotocol, provides an octet stream transport service over forward andreverse traffic channels. The RLP includes procedures to reduce theerror rate exhibited by CDMA traffic channels.

Forward and Reverse Power Control

This function generates or utilizes relevant power control informationthat is exchanged over the air interface or the channel element.

Process Test Call Procedures

This function supports an MS loop-back call, such as a service option 2and a service option 9 call.

Process Real Time Protocol (RTP) Procedures

This function is responsible for interfacing with a MG or other BSCs.

Process Signaling Layer 2 Procedures

This function performs the layer 2 functionality of the air interfacesignaling protocol and is responsible for the reliable delivery of thelayer 3 signaling messages between the BSC and the MS.

Process Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) Procedures

This function is responsible for interfacing with the PDSN 101.

Media Gateway (G/W) 103

The SDU 20 receives data, formats it and then sends it to the G/W 103.Similarly, data received from the G/W 103 can be formatted by the SDU20.

Signaling Control Connection Part (SCCP) 26

The SCCP 26 is used to provide a referencing mechanism to identify aparticular transaction relating to, for instance, a particular call. Thecurrent implementation of the A1 interface using TCP/IP protocol employsan SCCP implementation which provides the minimal functionality requiredto create the CALL context in which to pass IOS messages and monitor theTCP/IP connection. The SCCP 26 is associated with the followingfunctionality:

TCP/IP Connection Establishment

The SCCP creates a TCP/IP socket as a client to communicate with the CA104.

Signaling Connection Establishment

A new transaction, such as location updating, or an incoming or outgoingcall, is initiated on the radio path. Following an Access Request madeby the MS on the access channel, the connection establishment is theninitiated by the BS.

If the CA 104 decides to perform an inter-CA hard handoff, theconnection establishment is initiated by the CA 104.

Signaling Connection Release

This procedure is normally initiated at the CA 104 but in the case ofabnormal SCCP connection release, the BS may initiate a connectionclearing.

Interoperability System (IOS) 28

The IOS 28 processes messages from the CA 104 or the MCC 22 and convertsbetween internal message format and standard format. A Base StationApplication Part (BSAP) is the application layer signaling protocol thatprovides messaging to accomplish the functions of the A1 Interfacecomponent of the CA-BS Interface. The BSAP is split into twosub-application parts: the BS Management Application Part (BSMAP), andthe Direct Transfer Application Part (DTAP). The BSMAP supports allRadio Resource Management and Facility Management procedures between theCA 104 and the BS, or to a cell(s) within the BS. BSMAP messages are notpassed to the MS, but are used to perform functions at the CA 104 or theBS. A BSMAP message (Complete Layer 3 Information) is also used togetherwith a DTAP message to establish a connection for a MS between the BSand the CA 104, in response to the first layer 3 air interface messagesent by the MS to the BS for each MS system request. The DTAP messagesare used to transfer call processing and mobility management messagesbetween the CA 104 and BS. DTAP messages carry information that isprimarily used by the MS. The BS maps the DTAP messages going to andcoming from the CA from/into the appropriate air interface signalingprotocol.

The IOS 28 is associated with the following functionality:

Encoding Messages

The IOS messages proprietary format from the MCC 22 as the A interfacespecifications for sending to the CA.

Decoding Messages

The IOS 28 converts messages from the CA 104 to internal messages.

Packet Control Function (PCF) 24

The PCF 24 is a packet control function to manage the relay of packetsbetween the BS and the PDSN 101. In a cdma2000 wireless network, accessto packet data services is provided by the PDSN 101. The PCF 24 providescall processing functionality within the Radio Access Network (RAN)interfaces with the PDSN 101 and interfaces with the MCC 22 and the SDU20 to provide internal signaling and packet delivery. The interfacebetween the PCF 24 and the MCC 22 is called the A9 interface and theinterface between the PCF 24 and the SDU 20 is the A8 interface. Theinterface between the PDSN 101 and the PCF 24, which is the interfacebetween the radio and packet network, is known as the R-P interface orthe A10/A11 interface.

The PCF 24 is associated with the following functionality: MainProcessing which creates tasks and receives messages over IP, MessageProcessing which generates and extracts message by packing andunpacking, A10/A11 Processing which processes the A10/A11 interface,A8/A9 Processing which processes the A8/A9 interface, Hash Processingwhich performs the MD5 hashing function, Timer Processing which handlestimer set, timer cancel, and timeout processing, Utility for primitivesand debugging commands, and Call Control for call processing oforiginating, terminated and handoff calls.

Call Agent Simulator (CA SIM) 30

For wireless voice and data communications, various components, such asthe CA 104 in the core network and the IP-BS in the Radio-AccessNetwork, are necessary components. The installation of other componentsin the core network, such as the CA 104, a HLR, etc., constitutes alarge expense. To increase the efficiency and flexibility, aCA-simulator 30 can be provided so that voice and data calls arepossible without connecting to the CA 104 or to an HLR. As such, anIP-BS can be installed in a small wireless network without a CA or HLR.

Operation, Administration and Maintenance (OAM) 32

The OAM block 32 is associated with the following functionality: aConfiguration Management (CM) block 34 that configures each block ormodule of the BSC 12 based on program load data (PLD) information (whichincludes parameters, such as a system ID, an IP address, etc., toconfigure the system) which can be downloaded from a server, a StatusManagement (SM) block 36 that obtains a status of the BSC 12 and reportsthe status to the BSM 99, and a Fault Management (FM) block 38 thatchecks and detects system faults or alarms and reports them to the BSM.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the radio access network (RAN) 10 furthercomprises a base transceiver station (BTS) 14. The BTS 14 comprises aChannel Element Control (CEC) 16 coupled to the Radio Call Control (RCC)18, an Operation, Administration and Maintenance (OAM) 52 block coupledto the CEC, to the RCC, and to a Transmit and Receive Interface (TRX)40.

The Channel Element Control (CEC) 16

The CEC block 16 controls the call processing to interface with the MS.The CEC also interfaces with upper layer blocks to handle over the airmessages to set-up, maintain, and terminate voice and data calls. Inorder to make these calls, both signaling and traffic frames must betransmitted and received to and from the MS. It is also important forthese frames to be transmitted and received at the right time withcorrect information. This is accomplished by using, for example, a modemchip, such as the Qualcomm CSM5000 modem chip 60, I/F chips 62, atransceiver 64 and a power amplifier 66. The components 60-66 arepredominantly hardware components that can be co-located within the RAN10. The CEC block 16 is associated with the following functionality:

Overhead Channel Configurations

The CEC 16 receives overhead channel configuration messages from the RCMand sets the parameters to the driver of the modem chip 60.

Air Message Encapsulation and Transmission

The CEC 16 encapsulates and sends a frame for sync channel messagetransmission (at, for example, every 80 msec) and sends a frame forpaging channel message transmission (at, for example, every 20 msec). Totransmit each frame of the sync and paging channel, the CEC 16 revokessemaphores periodically by external interrupt request source.

CSM Built-in Test

The CEC 16 provides a built-in test function for the modem chip 60 whichincludes checking a register test, an interrupt test, as well as areverse ARM test. This test can be performed by an operator's request toshow if the modem chip 60 is functioning properly or not.

Forward and Reverse Power Control

The CEC 16 supports forward and reverse power control processing.

Process Time of Day (TOD) Message

The CEC 16 receives the TOD message via a GPS (at, for example, every 2sec) and processes it to get the system time and GPS status.

Process Loopback Call Procedures

This function supports MS-BTS loop-back call, This function can show ifair-interface between MS and BTS works well.

Process Traffic Channel Processing

The CEC 16 is responsible for assigning a traffic channel and clearingit by the order of RCC 18. When the traffic channel is setup, the CEC 16delivers traffic packets between the SDU 20 and the MS.

Maintain Forward and Reverse Link

The CEC 16 checks the forward and reverse path and reports them to astatus or statistics block.

Process High Speed Data Service

The CEC 16 is responsible for processing supplemental channel (SCH)packets for high speed data service which supports up to, for example,128 kbps. The SCH packets are used if additional channels are needed tohandle the transfer of the data.

Process Soft and Softer Handoff procedure

The CEC 16 is responsible for processing Soft and Softer Handoffs.

Provide H/W Characteristics Test Functionalities

The CEC 16 supports various hardware characteristics tests such as anaccess probe test, a AWGN test, etc. Theses tests determine if the RF orthe IF properties of each of the basestations are in order to ensure(via, for example, a good path) that messages can be transferred.

The CSM application 48 is adapted to receive data from the CSM (or modemchip 60) Driver 50.

Radio Call Control (RCC) 18

The call control of the air interface is provided by the RCC 18. The airinterface between the MS and the BTS 14 is specified by, for example,the TIA/EIA-95-A/B and the cdma2000 standards, which include the coreair interface, minimum performance, and service standards. Thefunctionalities of the RCC 18 consist of call processing, resourcemanagement, and supplementary services. The RCC 18 provides callprocessing functionality in order to setup and release call and resourcemanagement of radio resources such as CDMA channels, traffic channelelements, Walsh code channels, frame offsets, etc. The RCC 18 alsoprovides signaling functionality by interfacing with other relevantsoftware blocks.

The RCC 18 provides various processing functions including: MainProcessing which creates tasks and receives messages over IP, ResourceManagement which processes resource allocation and de-allocation,Message Processing which generates and extracts message by packing andunpacking, Initialization Processing which initializes buffers andvariables, RCV. from RSCH processing which processes all messages on thereverse common signaling channel, RCV. from RDCH processing whichprocesses some messages on the reverse dedicated signaling channel, RCV.from MCC processing which processes all messages from the MCC, SND. toFSCH processing which processes all messages sent to MS on the forwardcommon signaling channel, SND. to FDCH processing which processes somemessages sent to MS and CEC on forward dedicated signaling channel, SND.to MCC processing which processes all messages sent to the MCC, Layer 2Processing which processes Layer 2 information, Hash Processing whichperforms the hash function to decide CDMA channel and Paging Channelnumber, Timer Processing which handles timer set, timer cancel, andtimeout processing, and Utility which provides primitives and debuggingcommands.

Transmit and Receive Interface (TRX) 40

The TRX block 40 controls and diagnoses hardware devices in the BTS 14,and includes:

The PUC/PDC Block 42

The PUC/PDC 42 up-converts and down-converts between a baseband signaland an IF signal.

The Transceiver Control (XCVR) Block 44

The Transceiver Control Block (XCVR) 44 controls transceiver operationswhich carry IF signals to a carrier frequency band.

AMP Control Block

For high power amplification of the signal, the IP-BS provides theinterface to the AMP. The AMP control block controls AMP operations suchas ON/OFF.

Hardware Diagnostic Test Module

The diagnostic test module provides the functionalities for hardwarecharacteristics test of pn3383 such as AWGN test, access probe test,etc. For example, the pn3383 test implements test environmentconditions.

The power amplifier (PA) 66, via the RRCU 46, amplifies the outputsignal because the output of the XCVR 44 tends to be small. As such, abroader coverage area is possible.

Operation, Administration and Maintenance (OAM) block 52

The OAM block 32 is associated with the following functionality: aConfiguration Management (CM) block 34 that configures each block ormodule of the BTS 14 based on program load data (PLD) information (whichincludes parameters, such as a system ID, an IP address, etc., toconfigure the system) received from the BSM (or IP-BS) 99, a StatusManagement (SM) block 36 that obtains a status of the BTS 14 and reportsthe status to the BSM, and a Fault Management (FM) block 38 that checksand detects system faults or alarms and reports them to the BSM.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the components of a stackable IP Radio AccessNetwork (RAN) 70 are depicted. The blocks in the RAN 70 perform asimilar functionality to their respective blocks in the RAN 10. Such astackable RAN 70 provides increased bandwidth and redundancy withoututilizing a card based expansion scheme as has been previously employed.Rather, the RAN 70 is modular and stackable (in a very small footprint)and includes a control portion (the Main Control Processor (MCP)) 72 anda device portion (the SDU/CEC Processor (SCP)) 74. With a centralizedcontrol portion 72, various device portions 74 can be utilized with asingle control portion.

A difference between the RAN 70 and the RAN 10 is that the SDU 20 is nowco-located with the CEC 16, and the RCC 18 is co-located with the MCC22. As such, messaging between these co-located blocks is decreasedproviding an increase in system performance.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a stackable configuration 80 of the RAN of thepresent invention is depicted. The configuration 80 includes a RAN 70that includes a master MCP 72 and a RAN 70′ that includes a slave MCP72. The master and slave MCPs preferably have the same IP address forredundancy. If the master MCP fails, a seamless transition to the slaveMCP occurs. Backhaul timing is a limited issue because information istransferred between a BTS and a BSC in one “box” and not across a longerdistance as with a typical network. The configuration 80 furtherincludes RANs 76 which do not contain an MCP but rather, are controlledby the master MCP 72 in RAN 70. Each of the RANs depicted 70, 70′, and76 include at least one transceiver 64, power supply 82, and GPSreceiver 92 that synchronizes the timing between the BSC 12 and the BTS14 and between the MCP 72 and the SCP 74 per information received from adatabase 91 and/or GPS related satellites.

The configuration 80 may also include a combiner 86 that may combine aplurality of frequency segments to a common transmission line orantenna, a power amplifier 88 (which is similar to power amplifier 66),and a power supply 90 that could be used to re-set or re-start the RANs70, 70′, and 76. A switch hub 84 may be included to provide a singleaccess (via, for example, an IP address), between the configuration 80and the IP network 92.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the system of the present inventionhas been illustrated in the accompanied drawings and described in theforegoing detailed description, it will be understood that the inventionis not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerousrearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as set forth and defined by the followingclaims. For example, the capabilities of the invention can be performedfully and/or partially by one or more of the modules RANs 70, 70′, and76, and/or by one or more of the blocks 16-58. Also, these capabilitiesmay be performed in the current manner or in a distributed manner andon, or via, any device able to transfer information between the RANs,the blocks, and/or other components. Further, although depicted in aparticular manner, various blocks may be repositioned without departingfrom the scope of the current invention. For example, the RCC 18 may bepositioned in the BSC 12, while the SDU 20 may be positioned in the BTS14. Still further, although depicted in a particular manner, a greateror lesser number of RANs and/or blocks may be utilized without departingfrom the scope of the current invention. For example, additional RANs 76may be utilized in the configuration 80 of the present invention.

1. A modular and stackable Internet Protocol (IP) Radio Access Network(RAN) comprising: a combined base transceiver station (BTS) and basestation controller (BSC) comprising: a centralized Main ControlProcessor (MCP) coupled to a plurality of selector distribution unit(SDU) channel element control (CEC) Processors (SCPs); each of theplurality of SCPs comprising an SDU coupled to a CEC; a radio callcontrol (RCC) coupled to the CEC, wherein the MCP comprises the RCC; anda main call control (MCC) coupled to the SDU and to the RCC, the MCC isconfigured to receive a mobile station (MS) origination message from theRCC, the MS operating in the RAN, the MCC is further configured torequest call service from a calling agent (CA), confirm the validity ofthe MS and resource information of a media gateway, communicate with theRCC to request a radio resource, communicate with the SDU to allocate aselector resource, and perform at least one of subscriber registration,call setup, call release and call handoff.
 2. The IP RAN of claim 1comprising an interoperability system (IOS) signaling control connectionpart (SCCP) in the MCP coupled to the MCC.
 3. The IP RAN of claim 2,wherein the IOS and the SCCP are combined.
 4. The IP RAN of claim 3,wherein the SCCP is adapted to communicate with a call agent.
 5. The IPRAN of claim 1 comprising a packet control function (PCF) in the MCPcoupled to the SDU.
 6. The IP RAN of claim 5 comprising a firstoperation, administration, and maintenance (OA&M) module coupled to thePCF.
 7. The IP RAN of claim 6, wherein the first OA&M module is adaptedto communicate with a basestation manager.
 8. The IP RAN of claim 6comprising a configuration management (CM) block in the OA&M module, theCM block coupled to the PCF and to the CEC.
 9. The IP RAN of claim 8comprising a transceiver module coupled to a second OA&M module.
 10. TheIP RAN of claim 9, wherein the transceiver module is adapted tocommunicate with an IF chip, a transceiver, and a power amplifier. 11.The IP RAN of claim 5 comprising a call agent simulator (CA_SIM) in theMCP coupled to the IOS SCCP.
 12. The IP RAN of claim 5, wherein the PCFis adapted to communicate with a packet data serving node.
 13. The IPRAN of claim 1, wherein the SDU is adapted to communicate with agateway.
 14. A system, comprising: a modular and stackable InternetProtocol (IP) Radio Access Network (RAN) including a combined basetransceiver station (BTS) and base station controller (BSC) comprising:a first module including a control portion and a plurality of deviceportions; wherein the control portion includes a radio call control(RCC) module coupled to a main call control (MCC) module; wherein eachof the device portions include a selector distribution unit (SDU)coupled to a channel element control (CEC) module and the MCC, the CECcoupled to the RCC; and a second module, coupled to the first module,including a device portion; and wherein the MCC is configured to receivea mobile station (MS) origination message from the RCC, the MS operatingin the RAN, the MCC is further configured to request call service from acalling agent (CA), confirm the validity of the MS and resourceinformation of a media gateway, communicate with the RCC to request aradio resource, communicate with a selector distribution unit (SDU) toallocate a selector resource, and perform at least one of subscriberregistration, call setup, call release and call handoff.
 15. The systemof claim 14, comprising a third module, coupled to the first module andto the second module, including a redundant control portion and a deviceportion.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first module, thesecond module, and the third module are stackable.
 17. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the first module, the second module, and the thirdmodule are coupled via a switch hub.
 18. The system of claim 15, whereinthe first module, the second module, and the third module include atleast one of: a transceiver, a GPS receiver, and a power supply.
 19. Thesystem of claim 15 comprising a combiner adapted to combine a pluralityof frequency segments from the first module, the second module, and/orthe third module to a common transmission line or antenna.
 20. Thesystem of claim 15 comprising a power amplifier adapted to increasesignal power from the first module, the second module, and/or the thirdmodule.